Delta Air Lines (DAL) Beats on Q4 Revenues

Delta Air Lines, Inc. DAL is the one of the largest U.S. airlines and provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo across the globe. The Atlanta, GA based company’s route network is centered on the hub system that it operates at airports in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York – John F. Kennedy International Airport, Salt Lake City, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has reported higher-than-expected earnings in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 2.01%.

Revenue: Operating revenues came in at $9,458 million, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9,337.8 million. Revenues declined marginally from the year-ago figure.

Key Stats to Note: The airline behemoth witnessed a 2.7% decline in consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM: a key measure of unit revenue) in the reported quarter. For the first quarter of 2017, the carrier expects operating margin in the range of 11% to 13%. The estimated fuel price, including taxes and refinery impact, is expected in the range of $1.68 to $1.73 per gallon for the first quarter. System capacity is expected to be down 0%-1% on a year over year basis. The company expects passenger unit revenue increase of flat to up 2% in the first quarter.

Check back later for our full write up on this Delta Air Lines earnings report later!

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